209. Telegram From the Mission in Berlin to the Embassy in Germany1
466. Governing Mayor Brandt tonight called Allied Deputy Commandants and liaison officers urgently to Rathaus for meeting which began at 2330 hours. Also present were Deputy Mayor, members of Senat, Berlin Police Chief, prominent Berlin Party leaders and chief representative of Federal Republic in Berlin, Vockel.
Brandt stated that reports received from German intelligence sources indicated that at dawn October 26 East Berlin would be sealed off from West Berlin for period of two weeks. While these reports not definite they were considered sufficiently serious to warrant his calling meeting and having such preparations taken as were practicable. Immediate problem would be presented by some 35,000 border crossers who normally come from East to West Berlin to work. He had thought of going on radio to warn them, despite lateness of hour, but on balance felt this undesirable at present stage. Vockel added that Deutsche Nachrichtendienst (Gehlen Organization) had been receiving reports for some eight days about intended sector border closure but today had felt information sufficiently confirmed to warrant alarm.
Brandt continued that reports did not indicate that any stoppage of communications between West Berlin and Federal Republic intended. He also said that unconfirmed reports of vague nature received reference possible incursions into West Berlin of armed Kampfgruppen (fighting groups) but did not believe these need be considered at present.
Brandt stated that if East Zone authorities took action of kind indicated it would be of greatest importance psychologically that Allies react immediately and strongly. He felt that action should be by Commandants to which publicity could immediately be given. He proposed that same group meet again at 0830 hrs October 26 if sector boundary closure enforced. First indication would presumably be failure to resume operation of S-Bahn trains from East Berlin into West Berlin on early runs beginning about 0400 hrs. He would remain in his office all night to receive reports.
Meeting ended after some discussion of transportation problems which would result from closure during which Senator for Transport expressed view that West Berlin had sufficient reserve capacity in [Page 511] buses and U-Bahn cars to meet emergency which stoppage of S-Bahn trains might bring about.
Thereafter we agreed with British and French that it highly desirable that three Commandants make vigorous oral protest in person as soon as possible tomorrow at Karlshorst. Also agreed we would alert Embassies and governments re situation.
Have discussed with General Hamlett who agrees that prompt action by Commandants necessary if closure carried out and is prepared to join his two colleagues in making protest at Karlshorst.
[1 paragraph (3 lines of source text) not declassified]2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 762.0221/10–2657. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to London, Moscow, Paris, and Washington. The source text is the Department of State copy.↩
- At 10 a.m. on October
26, Hillenbrand reported that the situation at the border crossings
remained unchanged and the meeting at Brandt’s office had been
cancelled. Hillenbrand noted that this incident was symptomatic of
the tension among Berlin officials and their expectation of
continuing and perhaps increased difficulties with the East Zone.
(Telegram 505 from Berlin; ibid.,
762.0221/10–2657)
At the beginning of November, however, East Berlin authorities did introduce controls over movement between their sector of Berlin and West Berlin, but Hillenbrand speculated that these controls were aimed at the people of the Soviet Zone and not at West Berliners. (Telegram 542 to Bonn, November 7, repeated to Washington as telegram 1475 from Bonn, November 8; ibid., 762.0221/11–857)
↩